Rules for Abstract Submissions

• Report original research.
  • At the time of abstract submission, the study should not have been previously published verbatim as a scientific article or meeting abstract. Note that interim research products, including manuscripts deposited to a preprint server, are eligible for abstract submission.
  • The abstract may not be presented verbatim at another meeting prior to the scheduled SfN presentation. Some aspect of the abstract must be original in the current SfN submission to reflect new progress.
  • The abstract must include some aspect of neuroscience-related research.
  • SfN welcomes abstracts from industry that contain neuroscience research, data, and results. Abstracts deemed to contain commercial content, products, or service-related advertisements may be rejected by the Program Committee.
• Reviews.
• Reviews may only be submitted as Theme J (from a historical or teaching perspective) abstracts and should be a literature-driven review. A meta-analysis is acceptable in the scientific themes as long as it provides a new data-driven conclusion. Abstracts submitted under scientific themes should make this point clearly. Reviews submitted under a scientific theme must discuss results. Scientific abstracts that state “results will be discussed” will be rejected.
• State the study's research objective and rationale, summarize methods and results, and state the conclusions.
  • It is not satisfactory to say, "The results will be discussed." Emphasize the rationale, significance of results, and general principles. State whether the research is exploratory or confirmatory.
• Summarize efforts to ensure scientific rigor, including sample sizes and replication, blinding, and which controls were used.
  • Scientific rigor is the structured and controlled application of the scientific method using the highest standards in the field, including considerations in experimental design, data analysis, and reproducibility.
  • Visit Neuronline to view multiple resources on scientific rigor. Contact program@sfn.org with any questions.
• Report relevant biological variables.
  • Examples include the species, age, and sex of experimental subjects and whether sex differences were assessed.
• All abstracts must include data.
• All non-Theme J abstracts must discuss results. Abstracts that state that “results will be discussed” will be rejected.
• Use standard abbreviations for units of measure.
  • Other abbreviations should be fully spelled out on first mention, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
• Abstracts must be written in English.
• Website URLs.
• URLs may be included in an abstract if they point to a preprint server or peer-reviewed or PubMed indexed publication or open access tool or database.

• An SfN member must sign the abstract as the submitting author.
  • The submitting author electronically signs the abstract by using his/her SfN.org unique username and password to log in to the abstract submission system.
  • The submitting author must be listed as an author of the abstract.
  • Abstracts may be signed/submitted only by an active, individual member of SfN. Affiliate, Institutional Program, and Sustaining Associate Members may not submit abstracts. Membership in other neuroscience societies does not allow you to sign/submit an abstract.
  • By signing an abstract, the submitting author certifies that the work described in the abstract complies with guiding policies and principles endorsed by SfN (see below).
  • The submitting author is responsible for: ensuring that each author has legitimately contributed to the study; guaranteeing the final version of the abstract; and securing consent from all authors to be listed in informational and promotional materials for the SfN event where the abstract will be presented, including the itinerary planner.
  • Once submitted, an abstract cannot be transferred to another author’s SfN membership.
• Each SfN member can submit only one scientific abstract and one Theme J abstract (History, Education, and Society). A student member may submit a scientific abstract only as a presenting author.
  • In cases where a member is the submitting author on two scientific abstracts, one of the abstracts must be withdrawn.
• An individual may appear as the presenting author on only one scientific abstract and one Theme J abstract.
  • No presentation may be given by an individual who is not an author on the abstract. In cases where a member is the presenting author on two scientific abstracts, one of the abstracts must be withdrawn.
• To ensure proper citation in the author index, style your name consistently and list the same contact email address on all abstracts on which you are an author.
  • Members should style their names exactly as they appear in SfN office records (see the Member Directory). Include middle initials to avoid multiple entries in the Neuroscience Meeting Planner.

• Abstracts must conform to applicable SfN policies and principles.
  • During abstract submission, authors must attest that they have read, understand, and confirm that the work presented in the abstract accords with SfN policies. The submitting author may be contacted for clarification or review board approval prior to the Program Committee's acceptance of the abstract. These policies include:
    • Policies on the Use of Animals and Humans in Neuroscience Research
    • Declaration of Helsinki
    • Abstract Licensing Agreement
    • SfN Ethics Policy
    • Guidelines for Responsible Conduct Regarding Scientific Communication, including statements concerning honorary authorship and duplicate publication.
• Disclose the study’s funding sources (commercial, public, or private foundation grants).
  • Enter the source(s) in the appropriate field during submission. This information will emphasize the importance of the organizations that sponsor research.
• Disclose real or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • In general, disclosure is required when an individual or company stands to benefit financially from research performed. The central criterion of this policy places the onus for disclosure on each author to indicate any benefit to an individual or company that may derive from any and all relationships that have potential to lead to financial gain. Any potential for financial gain derived from reported work might constitute a conflict of interest. Authors should clearly acknowledge financial contributions from commercial sponsors to the work being reported, which might be perceived as conflicts of interest (see III.2). Authors should ensure that no contractual relations or proprietary considerations restrict dissemination of their findings. It is the author's responsibility to report any real or perceived financial conflict of interest. Potential conflicts of interest are noted next to the published abstract directing readers to conflicts listed in the Program. Examples of conflicts of interest are listed below, but this list is not all-encompassing. For more information on conflict of interest, see Guidelines for Responsible Conduct Regarding Scientific Communication.
  • Conflicts of Interest:
    • Author (or first-degree relative) holds an equity position in a company that produces a product or service related to the work being reported.
    • Author has a consultative relationship (including as a member of a scientific advisory board) with a company that produces a product or service related to the work being reported.
    • Author's research is funded by a company that produces a product or service related to the work being reported.
    • Author founded a company that produces a product or service related to the work being reported.
    • Author receives royalties from a company that produces a product or service related to the work being reported.
    • Patent or license related to the work being reported is held by the author and/or a university without direct corporate involvement at the time.
    • Author (or first-degree relative) derives a real or potential royalty stream through university arrangements and/or directly from a company that produces a product or service related to the work being reported.
    • Real or potential royalty streams generated from multiple sources.
• All authors must abide by SfN's embargo policy.
  • Research presented at the SfN event is embargoed until the time of presentation. The exception is abstracts involved in an SfN-hosted activity, such as a press conference during the SfN event, which are embargoed until after the time of the SfN press conference.
  • Research that has been published or posted on a Web page (excluding preprint archives) prior to the SfN event runs the risk of being prematurely reported by the general interest news media. This could disqualify the abstract from SfN press activities because it will be "old news" by the time of the event.
• Each abstract requires a nonrefundable handling fee.
  • Payment must be rendered by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or American Express only). Double-check credit card information for accuracy. Purchase orders are not accepted.
• All abstract presenters must be registered for the SfN event where they plan to present.  
  • Abstract presenters will not be allowed to present at the requisite SfN event where their abstract was accepted for presentation without first being registered for the event. 

• Material included in the presentation of the abstract must be substantively identical to that described in the abstract.
  • The title, authorship, and scientific content of the presentation at the SfN event must match that in the abstract.
• Report efforts to ensure the transparency, rigor, and reproducibility of your research.
  • Present the research question, rationale, and whether the study is exploratory or confirmatory.
  • To ensure scientific rigor, presenters are expected to transparently report a study’s experimental design and analytical methods in their presentation. When relevant, state the sex of experimental subjects and whether sex differences were assessed.
  • State efforts to ensure scientific rigor and reduce bias, including blinding, statistics, sample sizes, and replication. Report which controls were used.
  • Note biological variables such as species, sex, age, strain, or cell line, when applicable.
  • Present sufficient raw data for others to judge the quality of experiments. Define error bars when used.
• Presenter resources, including presentation guidelines, tips, and templates, are available on the SfN website.
• By submitting an abstract, submitters agree that their abstract may be assigned to be presented in-person, virtually, or in both venues, and presenters accept the inherent risks of virtual presentation.  
  
  • During the SfN event, all participants will be expected to adhere to SfN’s Photography and Recording Policy, Digital Learning Community Guidelines, and Code of Conduct. However, there are inherent risks with presenting unpublished data online and participating in live chats that abstract submitters agree to accept.  
• Abstracts presented virtually will be available for registered attendees to view on demand for a predetermined amount of time after the initial presentation of the abstract. 
• Live exhibits cannot be accommodated at an in-person SfN event. 

The Program Committee reserves the right to reject any abstract that has not complied with the aforementioned rules.